The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-28
An Atlantic Voyage Forty Years
Ago,

At the period OF which l speak, the
sailing packets which ran between Lon.
don and New York, and between Liv-
erpool and that port, were ships OF
five to six hundred tons burden. The
staterooms-as the little cabins rang
ed on either side OF the saloon were
termed-were below the sea-level.
They were incommodious, dark, and
ill.ventilated. In fact, the only light
they enjoyed was that furnished by
small pieces OF glass inserted in the
deck overhead, and from the fan-lights
in the doors opening to the saloon,
and this was SO poor that the occu-
pants OF the staterooms could not
even dress themselves without max
ing use OF lamp. The sole ven
tilation OF them was that afforded by
the removal OF the saloon skylghts,
which, OF course, could only be done in
fine weather. The consequence was
that the closeness OF the atmosphere
in the staterooms was at all times
most unpleasant; while the smell OF
the bilge-water was so offensive as TO
create nausea, independent OF that
arising from the motion OF the vessel.
In winter, on the other hand, the cold
was frequently severe. There was, it
is true, q stove in the saloon, but the
heat from it scarcely made itself APP
probably felt in the side-cabins.
In other matters there was the
same absence OF provision for the com
fort OF the passengers. The fresh wa
ter required for drinking and cooking
purposes was carried in casks; and
when the ship had a full cargo, many
OF these were placed on deck, with the
result that their contents were some
times impregnated with salt water
from the waves shipped i'll bad wealth.
er. At all times the water was most
impalatable, it being muddy, and ill
ed with various impurities from the
old worm-eaten barrels in which it
was kept. Not only was the water
bad but the supply occasionally
proved inadequate; and when the
voyage was an unusually long one,
the necessity would arise Of placing
the passengers upon short allowance.
There was always n COW on board;
but there was no other milk to be had
than what she supplied, no way OF
preserving it having then been discov-
cred Canned fruit and vegetables
were equally unknown. There was
commonly fair provision OF mutton
and pork, live sheep and pigs being
carried but OF other fresh meat and
OF fish, the stock was generally ex-
/ hausted by the time the vessel had
been u few days at sea; refriGerators
at that period not having been in
vented.
But the arrangements on board hes
ships were defective in much more inn
portant matters than in not piovid.
ing good table for the passengers.
The boats-even when they were sea-
worthy, which frequently was not the
case-were so few in number that, in
the event OF shipwreck, there was no
possibility OF their holding more than a
/ third OF the souls on board The long
boat, indeed was practically useless in
an emergency, as it was almost inVaria-
/ bly filed up with sheds for the accom-
mediation for the COW, sheep, and pigs;
/ and it would have been several hours
work to clear the boat and launch her.
/ Ii the cabin passengers had good
cause to complain that neither their
safety nor their comfort was sufficient
/ iy studied, the condition of the steer
age passengers was infinitely worse.
/ Men, women, and children were hud-
/ died like sheep in the quarters assigned
I them no separation % the eeyos he.
/ ing attempted. The berths, which
ran on either side OF the vessel, were
not enclosed, and were without cur
/ tains. The women were compelled to
/ dress and undress before the eyes OF
/ their male passengers, and exposed TO
l their coarse remarks and scurrilOus
tests. Indeed, the moral downfall OF
many n poor girl was TO be attributed
/ to her feelings OF decency and modesty
having been blunted by her painful
experiences during the voyage.
! The steerage passengers were requir-
ed to both supply and cook their own
/ provisions. There was commonly a
fierce struggle for place at the galley
/ fire, in which the sick and feeble neces-
/ sarily went to the wall and some
/ times several days would pass with
out any warm food being obtained by
| those who were most in need OF It.
/ Again, when there was storm, or
even when the ship experienced heavy
weather, the matches were closed, rem
dering the atmosphere of the steerage
] almost sitting. In fact, the condition
| and treatment of this class of passen-
gers were simply abominable, and such
! a l,.a